In line with the celebration of the Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW), the Department of Science and Technology – Region II (DOST-II), together with Cauayan City and Isabela State University, will be showcasing back-to-back science and technology (S&T) activities from August 14 to August 18 at F. L. Dy Coliseum in Cauayan City, Isabela.

Bearingthe National Science and Technology Week’s theme “Science for the People,” this year’s RSTW in Isabela will be both interactive and fun as much as it is informational. The five-day event will be comprised of not just S&T exhibits, but also of S&T bazaarsfeaturing products from DOST-assisted small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs), science trainings, fora, invention contests, and even a pageant (Search for Ginoo at Bb. Agham at Teknolohiya 2017), which are all open for public viewing.

Additionally, the first ever National Laboratory Summit will also be held on the third day of the event. Various regional testing laboratories in the country are expected to attend the said summit, which aims to strengthen the awareness of laboratory personnel and staff on the regulations and laws as well as on the significant breakthroughs in laboratory testing.

Also, inventors and researchers with the best research outputs and inventions will be given due recognition and cash prizes during the Regional Invention Contest and Exhibits (RICE). The viewing and judging of the inventions will be held on the first four days of the event, while the awarding will be part of the closing ceremony of the RSTW (August 18).

In addition to this, the Smarter Approaches to Reinvigorate Agriculture as an Industry in the Philippines (SARAI) Project will also be introduced on the event. SARAI is a project of the University of the Philippines – Los Baños, which aims to further improve the forecasting and crop monitoring system of the Philippine crops such as rice, corn, coconut, banana, coffee, and cacao.

DOST key officials including Secretary Fortunato dela Peña, Undersecretary for Regional Operations Brenda L. Nazareth-Manzano, Assistant Secretary for Finance and Legal Affairs Emmanuel S. Galvez, DOST-Technology Application and Promotion Institute Director Edgar I. Garcia, other regional directors and representatives from various DOST agencies and research councils are expected to be in the event.

State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), regional and local government units as well as other partner stakeholders will also join in the RSTW celebration. (Jasmin Joyce P. Sevilla, DOST-STII)